Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council; Matlock; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire County Council seeks a head of operations service to lead highway construction and maintenance. The ideal candidate will drive changes in service delivery and ensure high standards across projects while managing a team and budgets. This role offers hybrid working options and excellent council benefits, including a generous annual leave scheme.

Benefits

Flexi Time Scheme

Generous Annual Leave Scheme

Wellbeing Support Framework

Employee Wellbeing Support

Electric/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Derbyshire Rewards package

Qualifications

• Senior level experience in a similar work environment or extensive highways experience.
• Understanding of construction and maintenance processes.
• Experience in developing a sustainable business model.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Highway Operations Service in all construction and maintenance tasks.
• Accountability for Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental performance.
• Provide strategic leadership on the management of the construction supply chain.

Skills

Leadership

Public Sector Commissioning

Project Management

Budget Management

Team Management

Education

Relevant professional qualification

Job description

Here at Derbyshire County Council, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future and allow us to invest effectively in our network. As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service.

We are committed to the long-term development of our internal delivery capability and our new service will establish a commercial model which reflects its strategic importance in our service. Our Operations Service will undertake construction as well as planned and reactive maintenance activities across our diverse highway network. It will also provide an effective winter service and help us respond to weather and other emergencies.

This role will report to the Assistant Director Highways Delivery but will work closely with the whole highways team as well as the wider Place directorate to deliver effective, efficient and value for money service delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Highway Operations Service in the delivery of all construction, maintenance, and related tasks on the highway network. This includes provision of an adverse weather and emergency works service, both in an outside of normal working hours.
• Creation and operation of a mature commercial function which controls overhead and operational costs.
• Ensure that instructed projects, tasks and activities are delivered taking account of best practice, agreed specifications and standards.
• Overall accountability for the Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental performance of the Operations Service.
• Maintain a forward programme of work which aligns with a resourcing strategy which provides for the Service’s short-term needs whilst ensuring that the Service develops the resilience and skills needed for the future.
• Provide strategic leadership on the management of the construction supply chain.

We are looking for someone with:

• Relevant professional qualification plus significant senior level experience in a similar work environment or extensive highways related experience backed by evidence of appropriate specialist knowledge.
• Experience in leading a service through a period of change and developing a sustainable business model.
• An ability to apply the principles of effective public sector commissioning to objectively assess need, based on evidence and information, and make strategic decisions in relation to Service priorities, work schedules and programmes.
• Substantial and wide-ranging understanding of the construction, operation, and maintenance processes which are applied across all areas relevant to a Highway Authority.
• Substantial experience of growing and managing a team, motivating staff, achieving organisational goals and budget management.
• Programme and project management skills to build high levels of confidence in the delivery of complex and/or high value projects.
• Flexi Time Scheme:Up to two days flexi leave every four weeks (pro rata for part-time employees), subject to service needs.
• Generous Annual Leave Scheme:Ensures a healthy work-life balance.
• Wellbeing Support Framework:Includes OH physician services, physiotherapy, CBT, and in-house counselling.
• Employee Wellbeing Support:Fast track physiotherapy, confidential psychological support services, Employee Assistance Programme, and “Wisdom” app.
• Electric/Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme:Encourages environmentally friendly commuting options.
• Our Derbyshire Rewards:a package of benefits and discounts.

This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

If you’re ready to take the lead in delivering structural excellence across Derbyshire, we’d love to hear from you!

How to Apply:

Submit your CV and a covering statement outlining your suitability for the role, please include how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities and requirements set out in the Job and Person Profile.

Closing date:Sunday 20 th July 2025

Provisional Interview Date: Thursday 31 st July 2025

HWJBS

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.

Please read any attached documents before applying for this job